MTB Body Armor for Safety

Mountain Bike Body Armor: What Actually Makes Sense

Mountain bike protection gear has gotten complicated with all the materials and coverage options flying around. As someone who crashed hard on a trail wearing just a t-shirt and shorts – road rash from shoulder to hip – I learned everything there is to know about taking protection seriously.

Second crash, I was wearing knee pads. Those pads took a beating I’m grateful wasn’t my kneecap.

The Case for Protection

Mountain biking means crashes. Not if, when. Rocks, roots, wet corners, stupid mistakes – everyone goes down eventually. The question isn’t whether to wear protection but how much makes sense for your riding.

Your answer depends on the terrain. Mellow cross-country trails? Different calculation than bike park laps or steep descents. Match the protection to the risk.

Knee Pads: The Essential

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. If you wear nothing else, wear knee pads. Your knees take the first hit in most crashes, and they’re complicated joints that don’t heal great. A busted knee can end your season or worse.

Two main styles: hard shell and soft. Hard shell pads offer maximum protection but can be bulky and hot. Soft pads (D3O or similar) move better and breathe but offer less coverage against sharp impacts. I use soft pads for trail riding, hard shell for bike park days.

Elbow Pads

Elbows hit second in crashes, especially when you try to break your fall (which happens instinctively even when you know better). Elbow pads prevent the scrapes and impacts that make pushing off handlebars painful for weeks.

Most elbow pads are soft and sleeve-style. They should stay in place when you bend your arm without cutting off circulation. Not as critical as knee pads, but worth having for aggressive riding.

Chest and Back Protection

For downhill, bike park, or any riding where you’re hitting features at speed, spine protection makes sense. A back protector won’t prevent all spinal injuries, but it can help distribute impacts and protect against rock strikes.

Full chest protection is usually overkill for trail riding. It’s hot, restrictive, and heavy. But if you’re sessioning jump lines or racing downhill, the added bulk is worth the security.

Neck Braces

Controversial topic. Neck braces like the Leatt protect against hyperextension injuries, which can be catastrophic. They’re standard in downhill racing but rare on regular trails.

They restrict movement and feel awkward until you’re used to them. If you’re doing serious downhill at high speeds, consider one. For normal trail riding, most people don’t bother.

Hip and Tailbone Protection

Padded shorts with built-in hip and tailbone guards exist, mainly borrowed from motocross. They’re useful for dirt jumping and bike park riding where side impacts and endo-overs happen regularly.

I’ve broken a tailbone before. It’s months of misery. If I were doing regular jump sessions, I’d probably add padded shorts to my kit.

Materials Matter

Modern protection uses smart materials like D3O that are soft and flexible until impact, then harden instantly. This makes armor more comfortable and breathable than old-school rigid plastic.

Look for breathable mesh panels and ventilation channels. Summer riding in full armor without airflow is brutal. Good armor balances protection with the ability to actually function on a bike.

Getting the Fit Right

Protection that shifts or slides is useless when you crash. Knee pads should grip your leg without sliding down when you pedal. Elbow pads shouldn’t migrate when you’re in the attack position. Try everything on and move around before buying.

Straps and closure systems vary. Velcro, elastics, silicone grippers – they all work differently. Find what stays put on your body.

My Setup

That’s what makes body armor endearing to us mountain bikers who’ve learned from crashes. For regular trail riding: lightweight knee pads, helmet, gloves. For bike park or aggressive terrain: harder knee pads, elbow pads, back protector, full-face helmet. For mellower stuff: sometimes just the helmet.

The right amount of protection is personal. Some people ride trails in full armor, others ride downhill in minimal gear. Know your limits and your risk tolerance. Crashing is going to happen – deciding how to handle it is up to you.